The short version: yes, you need flat-soled shoes with no heel, because the Laws of the Sport require them. Whether you need bowls shoes specifically is a different question. Here’s some guidance to help you find the best shoes for your next game of lawn bowls!
Why Footwear Matters in Lawn Bowls
The right shoes can make a huge difference to comfort, stability and safety when you’re on the bowling green. As a player, you need a secure stance without causing damage to the playing surface. This isn't a club preference; it's a rule of the sport. Appendix A.2.1 of the Laws of the Sport of Bowls requires players, umpires and markers to wear flat-soled, heel-less footwear on the green. This is why lawn bowling shoes are designed especially with the green in mind.
Can You Wear Normal Trainers?
Most everyday trainers have deep, heavily patterned treads designed for other surfaces, but this can mark or damage the surface on a bowling green.
A flat, smooth sole is generally the better choice. It provides consistent contact with the green without the pronounced tread that you find on many outdoor trainers. If you’re unsure, feel free to pop into one of our shops, and we’ll be happy to let you know whether your shoes are suitable or not.
What Makes a Good Bowls Shoe?
Good lawn bowls footwear should combine a few different features, such as a flat sole with enough grip to help you move safely.
Stability is also important when you’re preparing to bowl. Having a comfortable and secure fit can help you feel supported without restricting your movement. It’s also good to choose a breathable material for those longer sessions.
Do Beginners Need Specialist Shoes?
You don’t necessarily need specialist shoes, especially if you’re trying lawn bowls for the first time. You may have footwear you can borrow, or you may already have suitable flat-soled shoes. As you become a regular player, bowls shoes are usually a good investment to make.
For club players and experienced bowlers, specialist footwear provides an option that’s specifically made for bowls. Although it won’t automatically improve your technique, it can make playing much more enjoyable and comfortable.
Indoor and outdoor shoes are not the same thing
This catches people out. Most indoor centres require shoes that have not been worn outdoors at all. Not "clean shoes", but shoes that have never been on a pavement. Grit carried in on a sole gets ground into the carpet and shortens its life, so centres tend to be stricter about footwear than outdoor clubs are.
In practice, if you play both codes you'll end up with two pairs, or you'll carry your indoor shoes in and change when you arrive. Many centres keep shoe covers at reception for visitors and newcomers, which is worth knowing before your first session rather than after it.
If you're only ever going to play one code, buy for that one.
How to Choose the Right Pair
Your shoes should feel secure without pinching, rubbing or allowing your heel to slip. Think about how long you will spend walking on the green, too. Three hours of a triples match is a lot of walking, so they need to be comfortable.
Check the sole carefully rather than choosing a shoe based on its appearance. If you play both indoor and outdoor bowls, make sure the footwear matches each venue’s requirements.
Choosing Suitable Lawn Bowls Shoes
So, you can start in flat-soled trainers, and plenty of people do. Most players buy proper bowls shoes within a season or two, usually because their feet start complaining before their game does. If you’re ready to find a pair, browse our lawn bowls footwear collection for lawn bowls shoes designed especially for the game.
